GOAT is an amazing movie and I'm so glad I decided to watch it. I really love the Spiderman Into The Spiderverse series and K-pop Demon Hunters so this was a must see. I highly recommend.
Spoilers from here on out:
First let's discuss the central character, Will. I love Will (my GOAT both figurative and literal). Seeing his determination was fantastic and you could tell from the start how well he understood Roarball both physically and strategically. His thoughfulness for others and commitment to uplifting them elevated his character a lot for me. Even when achieving the goal he had always dreamed of he made sure to mention how much Jett inspired him and how much his community helped him.
Next let's discuss his hero, Jett. She is such a well written character. Her drive to succeed and her skill are so central to her character and I like how the movie maintains this focus on her relationship to her professional career and how much it means to her.
I love how you can tell the difference between when she is playing to win with the team vs when she is just playing to win. It's also interesting to see how that then effects the team and their own abilities to play. It makes you realise how much of their initial failure stemed from a lack of trust and confidence and how when those issues are resolved everyone comes out stronger for it. I'm both sad for her injury and enjoy her character growth, finally being able to put others first.
It's also fascinating to see how much of Jett's insecurities and lashing out at her team come from the media and especially Flo. You can tell that once Jett is given some grace by those around her and sees she is surrounded by people who love and support her she becomes much more uplifting and better at the game, as she is finally willing to take on board other's advice.
On that note, I did find the coach's "My therapist told me this day would never come." line hilarious. Also the bit about the meowing music for Jett was beautiful.
Overall a very good movie that was clearly made with a lot of heart. Amazing art, music, writing, and a story that is both simple and effective. An excellent reminder to everyone to dream big, believe in yourself, and uplift those around you.
For my spoliers free review: happyend was a very interesting film with lots of themes and plot threads to examine. I would love to rewatch it someday. Now from here on out there will be spoilers ahead.
This movie reminded me in many ways of Wicked with the themes of dictatorship, racism, activism and common threads like the disappearance of the activist teacher who helps to bring the protagonist into the movement and the homoerotic friendship which leaves both members changed for good.
I love how this film approaches facism and resistance through the microcosm of the school. One detail I found especially poignant was how Tom's gift of leftovers and Yuta taking responsbility for the car prank end up determining the course of the protest. The movie's emphasis on both the importance of both social justice and friendship, showing how movements need both to be effective which was both very timely and a message I adore. This in particular is shown through the contrast of Fumi and Yuta. Constantly focsuing on messing around with friends and having fun with no responsibility can keep you from seeing the ways others suffer but activism with no reprieve is too idealistic to gain support.
Also the lighting and the way certain scenes were shot was fantastic. In particular the circular moment with Kou and Yuta splitting ways at the start and end of the movie. I also love the moment at the beginning of Yuta staying in the club & Kou turning back to see him. It feels very indictative of their later relationship as Kou moves on to become more involved in activism. The Implications. I also love how an arrow in the background points to Kou as everyone discusses who could've messed with the principal's car.
Fumi as an activist is fascinating and her anger being both her greatest asset and her biggest pitfall is such an interesting character trait. You can tell how much she cares about justice but how her strong convictions make it hard for her to connect with her peers and get them to join her cause.
The film's accuracy to real life techniques used by dictators is also something I really admired.
Overall very very very good movie and I hope to rewatch someday soon.
I saw I Saw The TV Glow ironcially on my tablette and timed this action between the hours of 11pm and 2am to add to the atmosphere, as one does. I was really worried before watching this movie that I wouldn't like it because I'd heard so much about it online before watching but despite my doubts I did end up really loving the film. It's genuinely very well made and tugs at your heartstrings when it matters. Now into the spoilery thoughts.
One of the things I really loved about this is how the Pink Opaque was shown. Even just the visual 'look' of the show felt both familiar and eerie. I love how the way Owen remembers it is different to everyone else except Maddie. If how the movie presents the rest of the world as just part of the midnight realm is accurate then it makes sense for Mr Melancholy to change the show to make Owen doubt her memories. Yes, I will be using she/her pronouns for Owen/Isabel, I know it's not exactly canon and some people vary on this but I prefer it.
That said, if what Maddie says isn't real and Owen is still in the real world then it makes me wonder if any other kids had a different version of the Pink Opaque that they watched and it varies on the group. Many questions. Also where'd Maddie get her episode guide from?
The ending was obviously devastating and seeing Owen apologise 'for the whole thing' as Maddie would say was heartbreaking. One thing I noticed about Owen was that her voice always seemed uncomfortable as an adult as if she was trying to make it sound like it did before puberty(?). I'm not sure if that's a reach but it caught my attention.
So many of the lines in this movie were gut wrenching but I think some of the scenes I liked the best were the moment with Owen screaming at her father that this world wasn't real and the moment at the bar where Maddie asks Owen how she remembers the Pink Opaque and the bit about the memories being 'jumbled around'. The focus on how fantasy and reality can become so intertwined you struggle to remember what is real and fake was something I found fascinating.
Have any of you watched I Saw The TV Glow? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the website feed or in the guestbook if you'd like! I hope you're well and remember, 'There's still time'.